Lignin-Based Adhesives for Sustainable Construction

Date: March 29, 2019

Country: United States

Application

• Wood Products: Lignin-based adhesives for plywood and OSB.
• Biobased Resins: Replacing harmful chemicals in epoxy, polyurethane, and coatings.

Description

Mojgan Nejad, an assistant professor at Michigan State University, has developed a lignin-based adhesive to replace petrochemical-derived phenol formaldehyde resins used in wood products like plywood. Lignin, a byproduct of paper and biofuel production, is abundant, low-cost, and sustainable. The lignin-based adhesives perform comparably to traditional phenol-based glues in both wet and dry conditions, offering a safer, more eco-friendly alternative. This innovation aims to stabilize costs and create job opportunities in the paper and biofuel industries while reducing health risks.

Pathway Description:

The process involves lignin extraction from biomass sources. The extracted lignin is then polymerized and processed to replace phenol in phenolic-based adhesives. The lignin undergoes chemical modification to ensure it performs similarly to phenol in adhesive applications. The resulting lignin-based adhesive is tested for its performance in bonding plywood and other wood panels under various conditions, achieving comparable wet and dry strength to traditional petrochemical adhesives.